As action wrapped up at Royal Harare Golf Club, there was even more reasons to celebrate.

“Luca and Kajal both won the Individual Honours and our players held the leading positions in both the Girls and Boys Competitions,” said Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant. “But most importantly, our teams made sure that we will be sending two South African junior teams to compete in this year’s Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan.”

Boys Competition

The SA Boys team slept on a 15 stroke lead over Zimbabwe. The quartet combined for a magnificent final round 17-under-par 199 to triumph by 37 strokes on 23 under 841.

Filippi from Western Province closed with a 68 to finish at 12 under 276, while Ekurhuleni’s Schaper fired a 66 to finish in second on 282. South Africa’s top ranked Higgo from Boland rocketed to third on 287 with a grand stand finish seven-under-par 65 and reigning Sanlam SA Amateur champion Christo Lamprecht from Southern Cape rounded out the top four after he signed for a two under 70 to finish at even-par 288.

“Well, that was one for the books,” said delight team manager Eden Thompson. “The guys really came out to play and I am really proud of all four of them for what they achieved.

“It has been a tough week and despite always being confident that we have what it takes, Zimbabwe really brought the game to us in the first and second rounds. The SA boys’ consistency showed in the third round and our lead grew from three shots to 15, which I believe relaxed them somewhat for the final round, but also gave them that extra little push.

“I told the boys that the job was not yet done; that they needed to go out and play to show why they are the top ranked junior team in Africa and the scores speak for themselves. It was really good to finish on a high with all four players breaking par on the day.

“I believe Garrick's 65 is a tie with the current amateur course record, but both Garrick and Jayden will rue some missed putts out there despite their exceptional scoring. It was also really special for Luca to pull through on the individual title. His final round was once again a very well put together effort and talking to him on the back nine I could see he was in a very good space.

“I must congratulate Royal Harare and the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Association, who were fantastic hosts. The course was absolutely exceptional and a real test for the boys and girls.”

Girls Competition

The SA Girls teams began the final round with an insurmountable lead and a five over 149 was good enough to triumph on four over 580 and edge out Zimbabwe by 61 shots.

Mistry from Gauteng completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Girls Competition in four rounds that included two course records – a 69 in round one and 67 in round two – and a final round 75.

“I didn’t start well today and I was three over after nine holes,” Mistry said. “I made some birdies at 11 and 16, but I finished with a pathetic double. At the end of the day, we all did our bit to make this victory happen and we are going to Japan. That’s all that matters.”

The Gauteng junior celebrated victory on even-par 288 and finished four shots clear of Symone Henriques, who closed with a 74. “I was two under through 14, but I bogeyed 15 and I missed a short putt for birdie at 16,” said Henriques. “Unfortunately I had a horrible finish with a double bogey at 17 and bogey at 18. Not how I wanted to end the week, but I’ve had an amazing experience. The course was brilliant, meeting the girls from the rest of the teams was really awesome and I am so stoked that we pulled off the win.”

Fellow Gauteng golfer Kaleigh Telfer made it a one-two-three finish for South Africa when she carded a 75 to finish at 304.

“I was going along really nicely and got it to two under through 14 holes,” said the reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play champion. “Then I dropped a shot at the short hole and it was downhill from there. This was an amazing experience and I am so pleased to share this victory with Kajal and Symone. It’s going to be a fantastic experience to go back to Japan for a third time with these girls and we are so happy we could win this for South Africa.”